Refrigerating apparatus



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 M. J. GoULoozE K REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed July 1s 1941 sept. zi, 1943.

Sept. 21, 1943. M J. GouLoZE 2,329,755

REFRI GERAT ING APPARATUS Filed July 18, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet F'vgk. A 'JJ'. 3.9

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ATTORNEY.

Sept. 2l

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Sept. 21, 1943. M. J. GOULOOZE 2,329,755

REFRIGERIUJING APPARATUS Filed July. A18, 1941 4 sheets-sheet 4 IN VE NTOR.

la MARTIN d. C10 uLoozE r ATORNEY.

Patented Sept. '21, 1943 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Martin J. Goulooze, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor to Nash-'Kelvinator Corporation, Detroit, Mich., `a corporation of Maryland Application-July 18,1941, Serial No. 402.900

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to refrigerating apparatus, and vmore particularly to refrigerator cabinet construction.

Itis an object of 'the presentr invention to `provide an improved arrangement .for mounting ya food compartment liner in a refrigerator' cabinet.

Another object of'my invention ;is to provide straps .for securing an .inner liner to the outer straps tothe inner liner by the same devices whichsupport the vshelves within said liner.

Another Vobjectof the present invention is to provide relatively thin gauge metallic 'breaker stripsof low heat conductivity for interconnectingthefinner and outer walls of a refrigerator cabinet, and to arrange for securing said breaker strip'to said walls in an Vimproved manner.

'It is a further object of the present 4invention to'provide .for the assembly of thev cabinet wherebyits internal and Aexternal Wall surfaces are Afree vof projecting or visible afxing means, such as screw headsy or .the like.

The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and vits method of operation, .together with additional yobjects and `advantages thereof, will best be understood "from the 'following description ofv specic embodiments when 'casing of a refrigerator cabinet and to'secure the read in conjunction with the accompanying'v drawings.

In the drawngs:.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator cabinet with parts .brokenfawayz Fig. `2 ls a cross sectional viewtaken along Aline 2-2 of Flg.,1-with parts shownin elevation;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view .taken along Fig. 1'0 is a cross `sectional view of another modified form of the invention;

Fig. v11'is va cross sectional view of ystill ,another modied form of the invention;

partment v(Cl. 220-15) similar to Fig. 2 illustrating'a further modified form of the invention;

Fig. '.13 is a fragmentarycross sectional view taken along line I3-I3 of Fig. l2; and

Fig. 414 is a :fragmentary cross sectional view taken along line I4-I4 of Fig. 12. y

Shown in the drawings is a refrigerator cabi'- :net Ahaving a food storage compartment'ZZ and -a machine compartment 24. Across opening 25 to 4the food storage vcompartment is closed by a pivotally mounted door 26. The compartment 22 `is -forme'cl .by a liner or inner shell 21 having side,

top,`bottom ,and rear walls. The edges 'of the side,` top and-bottom walls around the opening 25 arernargir'ially flanged outwardly at right angles vtoform .a portion ofthe front wall of the cabinet.

asat 29. The marginal edge of the ange 29 is in v turn bent at right angles to extend rearwardly parallel to the wall of the liner, as at 30.

,Extending spatially `about the liner 21 isan outer casing or shell `32 comprising ltop Wall v33 and side walls 34 formed as a unitary structure rolled from a single sheet of metal, and to'which 'is secured by'weld a panel 35 forming the rear wall of the cabinet. The forward marginal edge of the shell is bent vat right angles `to extend inwardly perlpherally about the door opening 29 to form a .front wall section 36 spaced forwardly kfrom the front wall portion 29 of the liner 21. The front wall 36 is of double wall thickness with lthe metal doubled back upon itself vand continu-4 ing along the side wall 34 a determinable distance, and-then turned at right angles in spaced ,parallel extension to the doubled wall 36, las

vExtending "below and in close proximity to the ktop wall 33 are parallel angle iron members or rails 39-wh'ich extend from the turned flange 31 to the rear panel 435 and is secured at each end' by `weld or the like. The cross rails '39 are positioned so as to be inplanularwaldgnment with a respective side wall 40 of .the liner 2l. A panel 42 is secured a spatial distance below the bottomv wall of the liner by 'weld to the side `Walls 34, rear Vwall .35 and portion 31. The panel 42 serves to partition the vcasing into Ian upper and lower com- 'I'he lower compartment forms the machine compartment 24. Extending between the panel 42 and the cross rails 39 are vertically extending parallel bars or supports 44. `The bars 44 lare lsecured by screws at ltheir upper end to the cross rails v@i9 and attheir lower end by screws to lugs 46 Awelded to the panel 42. The bars 44 are 4shown arrangedin pairs along each of the Fig. k12. -ls a fragmentary cross sectional'view 55 vside walls 40 of the liner, though it 'will be apparent that the number may be varied and, if desired, they may extend along the rear wall or the liner. Each of the bars have a plurality of enlarged openings 41 over which is positioned a U-shaped clip or speed nut 49 adapted to threadably receive the threaded shank 5| of a stud 50 inserted from the compartment side through the wall 40. The stud 50 is provided with a covering 52 and serves as a support for a shelf 53. The studs 50 thus serve to attach the liner to the vertical bar supports and so positioned as to support the shelves within the food storage compartment.

Each of the bars 44 are similarly secured to a respective rail 39 and lug 46 by use of speed nuts clipped to extend over elongated slots 54 formed in each end of the bars 44, and through pass the securing screw threading into the clipped nuts. together with the enlarged openings 41, facilitates for an easy alignment of the bar with respect to openings in the liner through which project the studs 50. The bars may, if desired, be Welded to the rails 3S and lugs 46. It will be obvious that this arrangement also permits alignment of the liner relative to the casing for purpose of aiilxing the breaker strip. By

unthreading of the studs the clips become slidable on the bar, and becomes xed thereto upon fully threading of the stud by drawing the clip together into frictional embracing relation upon the bar.

In the assembling of the cabinet, the vertical supporting bars are first secured in place with the speed nuts clipped in position. The liner is inserted through the front wall opening of the outer shell and between the bars 44 after which the studs are threaded through the wall 40 into the speed nuts. Suitable heat insulation material 55 is inserted between the walls of the liner and the outer casing.

Extending from the ront wall' section 36 of the casing in a curved arc to interconnect with the rearwardly disposed flange 21 of the liner is a exible breaker strip 60. The breaker strip is formed of relatively thin metallic sheet having a thickness preferably not exceeding .010 of an inch, and is preferably formed of stainless steel though it may be formed of other material and suitably coated with enamel or it may be plated. 'I'he breaker strip is attached by forming a r'eversely bent U portion 62 along one edge adapted to engage over the forward edge of the double Wall 36 and embrace opposite sides thereof. The opposite side of the breaker stnip is folded a marginal distance from its edge to engage the front wall 29 with the marginal portion 64 formed to lie snugly against the rearwardly extending flange 30. The end 65 of portion 64 is angularly turned over the edge of the flange 30.

Similar breaker strips extend along t-he opposite side of the cabinet adjacent the opening 25 and immediately below the food storage compartment and immediately above the food storage compartment. Since the principle of attachment of the other breaker strips is similar to the attachment oi' breaker strip 60 it was not shown in detail.

Corner strips serve to join the abutting edges of adjacently attached breaker strips. The strips 10 are formed with a face portion 12 adapted to overlie the adjacent ends of the breaker strips. The edges of portion 12 are reversely bent, as at 14, to be again reversely bent, as at 16. The portions 12 and 14 embrace opposite sides of the end of a breaker strip locking thereto the corner strip.

The corner strip is contoured in 4conformity to the breaker strip and is attached by sliding it downwardly from the outer corner of the abutting breaker strips towards its inner corner with the edge portions 14 engaging behind a resspective edge oi' the breaker strip. A stop is provided by inwardly and downwardly turning the top edge 15 so as to engage over and under the outer side edge of the breaker strip.

By the above described arrangement, the breaker strip is attached without the use of any afxlng means, such as screws, nails or the like. By permitting the arrangement of an arcuated breaker strip, it facilitates assembly to the cabinet as well as provides for a more secure attachment in that the ends tend to be flexed into closer abutting relation to the edges of the hner and casing. The corner strips serve to interlock the breaker strips.

The door 26, closing opening to the food storage compartment, comprises an `outer sheet metal shell 90 of pan-like contour having upwardly extending sides whose marginal edge is anged inwardly, as at 92. Extending around the shell is a frame member 94 which is secured by weld to the side wall of the shell. Secured to the frame 94 by metal strips 95 is the doors inner panel 36 which is formed of compositional material having low heat conductivity. Suitable heat insulation material 91 is inserted between the-inner panel 96 and shell 90. A gasket 99 extends peripherally about the edge of the door and seals against the double wall 36 of' the cabinet, preventing air entering the food storage compartment. The gasket is secured by pinching the neck portion between the turned end 92 and metal strip 95 with the enlarged base portion 'of the gasket extending rearwardly to seal against the frame member.

The circulating air in the food storage compartment is cooled by contact withan evaporator unit |05 located in the compartment, and which is connected to a compressor-condenser unit (not shown) located in the machine compartment and through which circulates refrigerant.

In Fig. 9 the cabinet ||0 comprises an outer shell H2, an inner liner ||4 and heat insulation ||5 therebetween. The outer shell H2 is formed with a front wall section ||1 having a flanged edge I9 extending rearwardly parallel to the side wall of theshell. The marginal'edge of the inner hner is anged outwardly, as at |20, and extends about the opening |22 to the food storage compartment |24. 'I'he flange ||9 terminates a spatial distance from the iiange |20 which is set inwardly from the front wall ||1 to be joined by a breaker strip |25 extending therebetween in a concave curve, which breaker strip may be constructed of the same material and same thickness as breaker strip 60 shown in Fig. 4. End portion |26 of the breaker strip extends over and rearwardly of the flange |20, being a continuation from the doubled wall marginal edge |22 embracing the face portion of the flange |20. The opposite end of the breaker strip is adapted to frictionally lock over the edge of the flange ||9 and is formed with a doubled wall semi-circular portion |21 engaging the corner edge of the front wall ||1, thence extending rearwardly with a U- shaped end |30 engaging the edge of the flange ||1. By rst sliding the end portion |26 over the |20, the opposite end |30 is quickly snapped over the end of the flange IIS, thus providing an easy and quick means of locking the breaker strip to the cabinet. By arcuating the breaker strip there is eliminated any tendency to ex-so as to draw the ends inwardly away from the flanges.

In the form shown in Fig. the outer shell or casing |40 is formed with a iront wall portion |42 having a double thickness which is continued a portionable distance along the side wall. The inner liner I 44 is formed with a right angle flange |46 extending about opening |48. The marginal edge of the iiange |46 extends rearwardly at right angles, as at |50. The front wall |42 of the cabinet is -set inwardly of the flange or front wall |46 of the liner and are joined by an arcuate breaker strip |52, preferably of same material andthickness as breaker strips 60 and |25. One end of the breaker strip is formed with a double wall marginal edge |54 having a rearwardly formed U- shaped clip |55 adapted to engage over the edge and embrace the rear side of the front wall |42 with the portion |54 embracing the face section thereof. The opposite side of the breaker strip is locked by a U-shaped clip |56 embracing opposite sides of the ange |50. The clip |56 is an extension from the doubled wall marginal edge |51 which lies in snug engagement against the face of iiange |46.

In the form shown in Fig. 11, the outer shell or casing |10 is formed similar Vto the casing shown in the preferred form having a pocket |12 rearwardly of the double thickness front wall |13, except that the front wall is set inwardly of the front wall portion |14 of the liner |15. The wall |14 is inclined to be in planular alignment'with the pocket |13. The wall |14 is ilanged to extend rearwardly parallel to sidewall of the liner, as at |80 A breaker strip |16 extends in joining the walls |13 and |14, one end of which is looped, as at |11, and lies within the pocket |12; The opposite end |8| extends over the face of the front wall |14 to be reversely bent and extending rearwardly, thence upwardly along the ange |80 to be turned over its end downwardly, as at |82. 'I'he breaker strip |16 may be constructed of the same material and be the same thickness as the other breaker strips disclosed herein.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 12 through 14, there is shown a liner 2|0 and an outer shell or casing 2|2, which are joined together by breaker strip 2|4 immediately adjacent to the door opening 2| 5. The opening is closed by a swingably mounted door 2 |6 and sealed by gasket 2|0 carried by the door. The liner 2| 0 is supportingly secured in position by hangers 222, which depend from the cross rails 224 secured between the front and rear wall of the casing.

The hanger is secured by screws 225 to a side wall of the liner. Similar hangers 230 extend upwardly from rail 232 secured by weld to the partitioned wall 234 of the cabinet. Screws 225 secure the liner to the hanger 230. Similar hangers (not shown) are provided for supporting the liner at the opposite side wall.

In assembly, the hangers are welded to a. x

respective rail, and the liner is inserted between the hangers and attached by screws, the operator working from within the food storage compartment in threading the screws through the wall of the liner into the hangers.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details as shown, but wish to avail myself of such variations and modications as may come within the scope of the appended claims. f

I claim:

1`. Cabinet construction comprising an outer casing, an inner casing disposed within said outer casing in spaced apart relationship with the front Walls of said casings being arranged on substantially the same plane and terminating in spaced apart relationship, horizontally disposed hangers positioned above and below said inner casing, means securing said hangres to said outer casing, vertical members extending parallel to the side walls of said inner casing, means securing said vertical members to said hangers, and means securing said vertical members to said inner casing.

2. Cabinet construction comprising an outer casing, an inner casing disposed within said outer casing in spaced apart relationship with the front walls of said casings being arranged on substantially the same plane and terminating in spaced apart relationship, horizontally disposed hangers positioned above and below said inner casing, means securing said hangers to said outer casing, Vertical members extending parallel to the side walls of said inner casing, with each member extending above and below said inner casing, means securing the ends of said vertical members to said hangers, means securing said vertical members between the ends thereof to the side walls of said lnner casing and a breaker strip extending between the outer and inner casings at the front of the cabinet.

MARTIN J. GOULOOZE. 

